The Anambra State Ministry of Environment and Nigeria Institute of Public Relations(NIPR), Anambra State Chapter, on Saturday June 22, launched the tree planting campaign in the state. The campaign is a subset of the main Clean & Green Sustainable Anambra Campaign, a major pillar on Governor Soludo’s 5-point development agenda to several parts of Onitsha metropolis. Port Harcourt Street, Onitsha.
Delivering a welcome address at the event, Anambra State’s Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu disclosed that Governor Soludo’s determination to make Anambra the cleanest and greenest state in Nigeria birthed the Clean & Green Sustainable Anambra Campaign.
According to Engr. Odimegwu, ” we are not only planting trees in Onitsha, what we’re doing is very symbolic. We started on June 10 to provide tree covers (urban forestation) on streets, roads, boulevards and highways to make Anambra a Green state.
” We know the advantages of trees in the survival of the human race and sustainable ecosystem. Trees provide humans with the oxygen to survive. Trees cool the atmosphere for our survival. Trees store carbon that mitigates climate change which helps to prevent biodiversity loss.”
He said further, ” If you come to Onitsha, the sun is always too hot. After planting these trees, if you come here in the next two – three years, it will give a beautiful ambiance, cool the temperature and provide comfort for residents of this area and purify the air.
The Commissioner further stated that the governor is successfully changing the negative report of the World Health Organization(WHO), a few years ago, that Onitsha is the most polluted city in the world by bringing development to Onitsha and making sure that Onitsha and the entire Anambra are clean.
” You can see the beautiful roads. So what we are doing today is to complement the governor’s efforts in building roads. We are planting trees to make the roads even more beautiful.”
He commended the NIPR members who were marking the 60th anniversary of the Institute with the tree planting campaign and called on well meaning Ndị Anambra to understand the importance of planting trees.
After a few goodwill remarks from the guests and the state chairman of NIPR , Professor Angela Nwanmuo, the gathering proceeded to plant trees along Port Harcourt Road, Onitsha.